Poll Finds Minnesotans Support Sandpiper Pipeline

(ST. PAUL, MN) Today, the Minnesota Ag/Energy Alliance released results from a recent survey conducted that measured Minnesotans’ attitudes towards pipeline construction, railroad congestion and the important economic benefits that projects such as the Sandpiper pipeline would contribute to communities in northern Minnesota. The 600-respondent statewide survey was conducted November 30-December 7, 2015 by Public Opinion Strategies, a Washington DC-based polling firm.

Minnesota voters support constructing the Sandpiper pipeline by a 40%-25% margin. Regionally, voters across the state support the project with the highest percentages of support living in northern Minnesota, where the route is proposed. After voters hear more about the project’s economic benefits, support for the Sandpiper pipeline increases significantly to a 54%-22% margin.

“The need to get these projects permitted is clearly important to the people of Minnesota. They are concerned that with each delay, the state of Minnesota is losing out. The Sandpiper pipeline will bring 1,500 new construction jobs, millions of dollars in local property tax revenue to local communities and a multitude of economic benefits to Main Street businesses”, stated Lance Klatt, Executive Director of the Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association.

The poll demonstrates that Minnesotans believe the state is losing out on jobs and property tax revenue due to delayed permitting of the construction project for over two years by state regulatory agencies. 63% of Minnesotans consider two years more than enough time to permit the project and 59% believe that Governor Dayton himself should get more personally involved with his agencies to get the project approved.

Nearly seven in ten say that railroad congestion in the state is a problem for transporting crude oil for farmers, iron ore producers and other state industries. And a majority of Minnesotans believe that approving the construction of oil pipelines would help to alleviate rail congestion for those critical economic pieces of Minnesota’s fabric.

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA AGRICULTURE & ENERGY ALLIANCE:The Minnesota Agriculture & Energy Alliance is a partnership between citizens, government, non-profit organizations and private companies working to support Minnesota’s farmers and agri-business, rural retailers and other small businesses. We want to improve life in our state, and so we support projects that make Minnesota better – and a better place to live and work.